Mazda RX8 - thoughts?
Discussion
I’m finding historic saloon car racing a bit expensive at the moment, especially as the car is pushed to the absolute limit.
Thinking about a Mazda RX8 for track days (and maybe some light hillclimbs/sprints), having been in a friends car years ago.
Yes, I know the engines don’t last long (but only 2.1k for a rebuilt one), and that they are terrible on fuel and cold start (doesn’t matter given it’s intended use), also that they are very picky about oil. In essence, if I bought one, I’d fully expect a new engine would be required, so more interested in overall condition.
Have they started going up in value, or are they still available at reasonable cost? Do they rust as bad as MX5’s of the same era?
In essence - help my man maths…
Thinking about a Mazda RX8 for track days (and maybe some light hillclimbs/sprints), having been in a friends car years ago.
Yes, I know the engines don’t last long (but only 2.1k for a rebuilt one), and that they are terrible on fuel and cold start (doesn’t matter given it’s intended use), also that they are very picky about oil. In essence, if I bought one, I’d fully expect a new engine would be required, so more interested in overall condition.
Have they started going up in value, or are they still available at reasonable cost? Do they rust as bad as MX5’s of the same era?
In essence - help my man maths…
Your post demonstrates the RX-8s worst problem- it’s reputation.
The engines are far from bulletproof but find a good one and it will last long if looked after well , there’s a common misconception they need thrashing all the time , this is not correct they just need the reg range to be used but not until they are properly warmed up.
You’re right about fuel economy being horrendous, not much more to say about that
Cold starts are not in the slightest bit an issue for an RX-8 with a healthy engine and ignition system. They can flood with fuel if turned off without a bit of warming up but again that is quite hard to do if the aforementioned bits and the battery are in good health.
Yes they rust like an MX-5 but like an NC MX-5 not the earlier ones which often require chassis rails sorting
There are plenty of dogs out there because there are not many owners who were prepared to spend the money to look after them properly, even though it’s not actually that dear to do so.
There are various common issues but if you can find one with minimal rust, good engine health (or cheap enough to rebuild) and no steering issues (I.e balanced equally left to right) then you shouldn’t go too far wrong.
The engines are far from bulletproof but find a good one and it will last long if looked after well , there’s a common misconception they need thrashing all the time , this is not correct they just need the reg range to be used but not until they are properly warmed up.
You’re right about fuel economy being horrendous, not much more to say about that
Cold starts are not in the slightest bit an issue for an RX-8 with a healthy engine and ignition system. They can flood with fuel if turned off without a bit of warming up but again that is quite hard to do if the aforementioned bits and the battery are in good health.
Yes they rust like an MX-5 but like an NC MX-5 not the earlier ones which often require chassis rails sorting
There are plenty of dogs out there because there are not many owners who were prepared to spend the money to look after them properly, even though it’s not actually that dear to do so.
There are various common issues but if you can find one with minimal rust, good engine health (or cheap enough to rebuild) and no steering issues (I.e balanced equally left to right) then you shouldn’t go too far wrong.
I thought about the same for the purposes of doing sprints. I would have gone down the route of getting a cheap one with a knackered engine (many were available for £500 or less a few years back) and then getting LC Rotary in Orpington to do a full engine rebuild (they now seem to be trading as The Performance Shop).
Problem is if you get one of the PZ versions (which for some reason I recall you should) they're the maximum road tax band.
Problem is if you get one of the PZ versions (which for some reason I recall you should) they're the maximum road tax band.
There was a good reader's cars thread on his not so long ago.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I’ve just bought one for this exact purpose!
Here’s my thread. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Here’s my thread. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
HorneyMX5 said:
I’ve just bought one for this exact purpose!
Here’s my thread. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Looks great!Here’s my thread. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I did have an RX8 and ran it on track days between 2011 and 2021. Basically, it was a fun car to use on track. The only modification I made was to put Bilstein PZ shocks (similar to B12) on it and some decent pads. Mostly, I ran it on road tyres, Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersports, in later days. Strengths were the low purchase cost, lack of modifications needed, excellent handling, particularly in the wet. Weaknesses were the lack of power in the dry, ridiculous road tax and terrible fuel economy. Fuel costs do matter on a track day if you have to drive there and suffer sub 10mpg economy on track.
The car did ultimately blow its engine on track. It had done 80k and many thousands of miles on track. I decided to sell it as spares or repair for various reasons. They do suffer from rust (like the MX5) and mine was starting to look crusty underneath. Secondly, the mad tax band and astronomical fuel costs. The final nail in the coffin was the engine rebuild. Engine rebuilds are a bit hit or miss. Some are well done, others, not so good. I remember seeing the CSCC RX8’s racing a few years back when they first started the series. Despite recent rebuilds, some of them blew up in front of my eyes.
The only way I would consider one now is if it was a CSCC car, with everything done and I had a trailer to take it to the circuit. The owners club also has good ones for sale. I know there are no bargains out there right now, but for most, a Clio, MX5 or Caterham would make more sense.
The car did ultimately blow its engine on track. It had done 80k and many thousands of miles on track. I decided to sell it as spares or repair for various reasons. They do suffer from rust (like the MX5) and mine was starting to look crusty underneath. Secondly, the mad tax band and astronomical fuel costs. The final nail in the coffin was the engine rebuild. Engine rebuilds are a bit hit or miss. Some are well done, others, not so good. I remember seeing the CSCC RX8’s racing a few years back when they first started the series. Despite recent rebuilds, some of them blew up in front of my eyes.
The only way I would consider one now is if it was a CSCC car, with everything done and I had a trailer to take it to the circuit. The owners club also has good ones for sale. I know there are no bargains out there right now, but for most, a Clio, MX5 or Caterham would make more sense.
Edited by PJ_Parsons on Friday 19th August 21:47
I would go through a full tank plus two 20l Jerry cans on a track day of 120 miles and still end up on the fuel light during 25 miles home. The Suzuki Swift, I am currently running does about 20mpg. It laps 3-5 seconds a lap slower round Oulton than the RX8. The RX8 was 20mpg on the road, so it was also expensive to go anywhere.
Other RX8 consumables were fairly cheap. Oil and filter about £20, decent pads front and rear £160is and discs £60ish per pair. Servicing was quite easy DIY. It did serve me well but I would only offer a luke warm recommendation to buy.
Other RX8 consumables were fairly cheap. Oil and filter about £20, decent pads front and rear £160is and discs £60ish per pair. Servicing was quite easy DIY. It did serve me well but I would only offer a luke warm recommendation to buy.
ChevronB19 said:
HorneyMX5 said:
I’ve just bought one for this exact purpose!
Here’s my thread. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Looks great!Here’s my thread. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
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